Social workers embody the message of “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

This year’s conference theme, “I Am Somebody: Inspiring Innovative Practice” is meant to anchor us, invigorate us and unite us in collective work for positive change. We want to expand our systems thinking beyond the here and now.

We want to inspire social workers to systematically explore possibilities, using our expertise in finding connections and patterns in the human experience.

Ultimately, we hope to embolden social workers to embrace our collective power, delve into new approaches to our practice, and rise to our higher purpose. Come join us!

LEARN new and innovative content. NETWORK with your Social Work colleagues from across the state. REFRESH your practice.

Chapter Updates and Awards Ceremony to recognize outstanding social workers

Conference Keynote

Using the Tools of Futurism to Solve Society's Biggest Challenges

Trista Harris - Author / Advocate / Philanthropic Futurist

Opening Keynote

The Future Started Yesterday
An increasing rate of change makes the already challenging work of doing good, even more difficult. We are all are trying to make the world a better place but are often using yesterday’s information to do so. What if we could predict the future and prepare for the coming realities that will impact our clients and our communities? Join Trista Harris as she takes us on an interactive journey where she’ll uncover tools to create the future.

Closing Keynote

The Future of Good and You
Humans are wired to help each other. The problem is that society’s challenges are becoming more complicated and an increasing rate of change is accelerating those challenges. It would be easy to become overwhelmed with the 24-hour news cycle of despair and do nothing. What we have to remember is that we create the future by the choices that we make today. Trista will help you make the lessons that you have learned at the conference become a part of your day to day practice to create a better future.

Breakout Sessions

*You will be asked to select the sessions you wish to attend during registration; please make note of them here.

You will be able to change sessions at the conference, if you wish; this pre-selection will help us in our planning.

Pre-Conference - Monday, June 10

New this year! NASW-MN is proud to offer a pre-conference day with two distinct tracks to choose from.

Mitakuye Oyasin: An indigenous perspective on community, systems, and healthMitakuye oyasin. All things related. The modern narrative about Native Americans is often focused on negatives; health disparities, incarceration rates, overdoses, homelessness, historical trauma, and on and on. However, Native American communities are resilient and encompass many strengths, several of which are overlooked by dominant society. The Speaker will demonstrate how emphasizing strengths, rather than deficits, and using a value system grounded in the interrelatedness of all people can improve health outcomes and conditions for Native Americans. She will also explain how this approach can be used to work within and across systems to improve individual outcomes for all.

Minnesota Respondent to Keynote by Bruce Thao, Director of the Center for Health Equity and Office of Minority & Multicultural Health at the MN Department of Health